Eutelsat Moves into New-generation In-flight Connectivity Services
via KA-SAT
PARIS, January 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces the
launch of a new aeronautical mobile service called Eutelsat Air
Access designed to accelerate the deployment by commercial
airlines operating in Europe of
in-flight connectivity for passengers. Delivering speeds of up to
100 Mbps per airliner, Eutelsat Air Access will be available
from mid-2013.
The new service uses ViaSat SurfBeam® 2 technology, the most
advanced and competitive system available for airborne connectivity
using the Ka-band, and will be deployed on Eutelsat's KA-SAT
high throughput satellite which delivers a total capacity of 90
Gbps. Leveraging the high transmission speeds and bandwidth of
KA-SAT, Eutelsat Air Access will allow aeronautical
service providers to offer passengers top-quality Internet access,
videostreaming and GSM services via tablets, smartphones and
laptops. Eutelsat also has the option to add further unique ViaSat
networking features for management of high-speed service levels to
passengers. The service will be launched across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, with the
objective to expand the service area using other Ka-band
satellites.
Eutelsat is partnering on the deployment of Eutelsat Air
Access with LiveTV, a leading provider of live in-flight
entertainment and connectivity services for commercial airlines.
LiveTV will provide, integrate and maintain on-board equipment and
operate Wi-Fi internet access services and video streaming for
passengers. As a pioneer in the expanding market for live
in-flight entertainment and connectivity, LiveTV has already
equipped more than 700 aircraft around the world. Aer Lingus
is the first carrier to seize the opportunity of new-generation
in-flight services. The Irish airline last month signed a letter of
intent with LiveTV and plans to launch in-cabin Internet access for
customers on its European network. The new service will be
available on Aer Lingus short-haul
fleet, including Airbus A319/A320 and A321. The first flights with
the service are planned in the second half of 2013.
Eutelsat's CEO, Michel de Rosen,
commented on the launch of airborne services via KA-SAT:
"We believe that in-flight connectivity is a strong
growth market and are ready with the latest technology and strong
partnerships to address this business. Over the next 10 years the
number of aircraft offering in-cabin entertainment and connectivity
services via passenger devices should grow by more than 50% a year
in Europe and the Middle East, and more than 80%
in Asia and the
Pacific. Eutelsat has already gained experience in
aeronautical mobile services using Ku band satellites.
With Eutelsat Air Access we are moving into
a new era to enable airlines to cost-effectively bring in-cabin
connectivity to their customers."
About Eutelsat Communications
(http://www.eutelsat.com)
Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.
With capacity commercialised on 30 satellites delivering reach of
Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,
significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications
(Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the
world's leading satellite operators. As of 30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 4,400 television channels to over 200
million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle
East and Africa. The
Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV
contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband
markets. Headquartered in Paris,
Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 750 commercial, technical
and operational professionals from 30 countries.
SOURCE Eutelsat Communications
